Geekiness and Blogging Burn Out
Although I’ve been afraid to admit it, I’m burnt out on blogging. Well, on writing in general. It’s not writing’s fault at all….it’s entirely my own for overbooking my own schedule and foolishly assuming that I’m some kind of content writing machine. (”20 articles? On Christmas Eve? No problem!”) Okay, maybe I’m exaggerating a bit…but the thought of having to write more at the end of a long day of writing has been less than appealing.
I really don’t know how some writers who blog do it consistently enough to develop a post a day, or even several. Maybe they aren’t freelancing? Maybe they don’t have kids? Maybe they are just cooler than I am and I should bow down now? Whatever the reason, that’s neither here nor there.
I began to think about why I started blogging, and what this blog has evolved into. And I realized more and more that it has become less about my voice and more about self-imposed rigidness (”Do I have anything profound and worthy to say today?” - normally the answer is no) Then I realized I don’t blog more because I’ve made it work and not fun. And I keep comparing myself to others. And worrying about whether what I am writing is interesting.
Here’s where the geekiness comes in. I am a big Stark Trek nerd. On second thought, maybe I’m a medium sized Star Trek nerd. I watched The Next Generation just like any other good Gen X/Echo Boomer crossover did, and cyber-stalk Wil Wheaton (aka Wesley Crusher).
Just as I am having these thoughts today about being burnt out on blogging and writing, I read Wil Wheaton’s post today. In a wonderful rambling account of his movie watching habits in the last two weeks, he has this gem:
“….write what you want to, write what’s on your mind, and don’t worry about who is reading it. It’s such simple and logical advice, but clearly isn’t easy to absorb and put into practice, because I need to remind myself about it at least twice a year. I used to worry a lot about wasting people’s time with my blog, but now I save that obsessing for my books.”
He also had some good insights on your 30s which, having just turned 29, really spoke to me.
So what’s the point? Maybe there is none. And maybe that’s the point in and of itself - in an attempt to be “lesson-y” (aka high and mighty) like other blogs, I lost any drive to blog at all. I suppose I just wanted to bring this passage to light for any other web writers who are feeling their muse has taken extended leave in the Carribean while they sit staring at a blank screen.
A new motto to ponder: blog more and worry less.
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I completely sympathize, Courtney. I started feeling pressure with my fun blog as soon as it started to gain momentum. I often have to remind myself not to take it so seriously - the best compliment I was ever given was that my blog wasn’t “pedantic” like so many other mommy blogs.
So, you’re doing the right thing. Write what you want here and let the squares take themselves seriously!
Ack, I didn’t know you were a fellow Star Trek nerd/Wil Wheaton stalker! If you have Netflix, every episode of TNG is available on DVD. Er, not that I rented each and every one of them or anything.
I am feeling the blog pressure, though. I have three and ghostwrite a fourth. It’s a bit much. And writing content all day every day is getting to be waaaay too much. I’d like a life again someday. I hear there is a world outside with trees and flowers and people who aren’t on laptops.
I’m standing at the other end of the spectrum as a new blogger, Courtney. After only a few weeks of blogging, I know exactly what you’re talking about. Take it easy on yourself, and take a break if you need one. The quote from Wil Wheaton spoke to me as well, and not just because I’m a huge TNG fan. It’s so easy to get caught up in an elaborate game of one-upsmanship, but ultimately the only value most of us bring is spilling our thoughts, straight from the heart or gut. I appreciate that you’re willing to give us a peek behind the curtain at what does and doesn’t motivate you. Even in your frustration, you’re helping us readers become better writers.
Thanks!
I love Star Trek, too!!! You should see my Netflix queue right now.
TNG was my favorite one, too, aside from the original. My daughter even loves it. 
Sometimes you just need to allow yourself to take a break. I’m in the same place myself. I don’t “feel” burned out, but I must be. I’m finishing up the last 2 discs of Season 3 of Beauty and the Beast right now. I think we all need to treat ourselves to whatever it is we enjoy from time to time. 
Hi Courtney,
Take care!
How funny is that I just started a new blog last night just for the reason you are talking about. I had two a few months ago but totally let it go and then finally deleted them because like you said, it was more work than fun. So last night, I found myself a cool template that I liked and I am going to write what I want to write. I guess it’s my writing journal exposed to the world. I think it will keep me writing more and not burnt on more of the same which is, writing for others.
Oh and by the way, I am also 29!! 30 is fast approaching, isn’t it?
I’m so glad this post spoke to so many of you!
@amy - You’re my hero with your fun blog. You always manage to be funny in an effortless way. But I hear you about popularity and pressure. I think getting on that top 10 list created a lot of self-imposed pressure. All of a sudden I had a rather large audience of “real” writers.
@LS, William and Hope - I’m so glad I’m among TNG fans! I met Wil once….he came with a group of improv people to my college, and did a performance. There were so few people there that we got to talk to him afterwards. I was like ‘Can I have a hug? I had the biggest crush on you when I was 10.” He was very gracious. And thanks for the reminder about Netflix…I hadn’t thought about using that to get my fix.
@Marce Good luck with your new blog! And I hope you avoid the burn out. I think writing what you want to write is a great way to do that. You’re right…30 is quickly approaching. Between that and getting my first house next week, I feel like a real live grown up.
How true it is!
For several months last year I was writing several blogs all at once. Two were for clients. One of the others was a personal/political/social blog, and one was my Dungeons and Dragons blog.
I was so engrossed in writing my client’s material that I started to carry over the “lesson-y” part of that work into my own blogs.
Do you know what the result was? I burned COMPLETELY out on blogging for a good six months. I let my own blogs lag, and even wound up refusing blog writing work for someone else. Its like Amy said above (though not the “mommy” part in my case, LOL!
I think the key is to get something of a mix going. You need to be able to just tell a story sometimes. Think about thepioneerwoman.com: I’m really not sure what that web site is about, but it’s hugely popular, and my wife and I both love it. She almost always uses a casual voice, and it hasn’t hurt her any!
Oh, and just to stir it up a bit… Wil Wheaton is great, but…
wait for it
TOS beats TNG any day of the week. And twice on Sundays.
Let the battles begin.
Ohhhh, you children!!!
I feel totally out of place here, ut just have to leave a comment.
I’m 75, mobility challenged…….as we so quaintly call it now…..
and spend more than 90% on my computer.
Star Trekkie?? No, not me, although I havew nothing against Star Trek.
I just sit in my LazBoy chair, looking old, dignified, and ……..wise???
Ask my husband, and children.
And, as I get older my thoughts tend to wander more and more to things
like the “Hereafter”. Not only when I open my fridge, and wondering:
“What am I here after?”
You just wait another 40 years, and you’ll find yourself doing the same thing.
And the result of this??
I read Sylvia Browne, John Edward etc. My security blankets??? But Sylvia does make sense to me, although I cannot agree with everything she writes.
But hey, I also read Courtney’s “ContentChef”, etc.
English is my second language, but, since I forgot my Dutch by now, English
will have to do.
Courtney, you got me all fired up. And since I’m going to live to e 95, I need to
supplement my pensions. So, what do you think? Will I make it??
[…] more thing. Courtney wrote an excellent post on Friday about how a lot of the WAHM blogs come off as lesson-y. You know, I think its probably true. Sometimes, we WAHM bloggers (except Amy, LOL) can get a […]
@Bob Well…we’ll let you live for now.
Will Shatner is pretty cool. And the new movie should be very interesting.
@Joyce I’m so glad you’ve become part of “the fold”…you are a true sweetheart and I am really excited to see what you’ll be doing with writing online!
Courtney - I’ve definitely been there with the blogging burnout. I hope you don’t stay burned out for long, though, because I really enjoy your blog!
I like your motto - blog more, worry less. I think I need to adopt that motto myself.
Good work and good entries, let’s continue